Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1365748
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N WHAT IS YOUR MISSION, AND HOW HAS IT SHIFTED DUE TO COVID-19? Our mission is to attract, leverage and invest in the self-sustaining transformation of downtown Macon. Our focus shifted from curating a vibrant downtown experience to connecting downtown businesses with the federal relief they needed to survive the pan- demic. We launched the Recovery Coaching Program, which consisted of weekly webi- nars about federal relief, individual coaching sessions for business owners and daily email updates about resources and safety guidelines. Due to our efforts, we can now re-focus on creating an exciting downtown experience because our businesses have successfully remained opened and continue to weather this storm. WHAT IS THE MOST GRATIFYING PART OF YOUR JOB? We love seeing entrepreneurs succeed downtown. Operating a business is not for the faint of heart and takes tenacity, passion and grit. Celebrating anniversaries with downtown business owners is a reminder of their resiliency and gives us gratification that 400+ businesses can be successful in Macon's downtown district. WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW IN MACON? In 2020, more black-owned businesses opened downtown than in any year prior. We are thrilled to see the whole community sup- porting entrepreneurs of color more than ever before. Diversity and representation among downtown business owners helps us realize our goal of a more inclusive downtown. 2021 Women in Business NEWTOWN MACON 555 POPLAR ST., MACON | 478-722-9909 | NEWTOWNMACON.COM ERIN KELLER, VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT; EMILY HOPKINS, DIRECTOR OF PLACE; JOLIE ROWLAND, DIRECTOR OF LOAN OPERATIONS, NEWTOWN LOANS; ANNETTE ANDERSON, FINANCIAL ASSISTANT; AND BETHANY ROGERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEWTOWN LOANS. S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N 60 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2021